Every P2 and P3 child in Scotland will receive a pack containing books, games and other materials to help improve their literacy and numeracy skills. Education Secretary John Swinney launched the first packs at Towerbank Primary School, as part of the Read, Write, Count campaign delivered by Scottish Book Trust which encourages parents to actively engage in their child’s learning journey. Continue reading Book gift packs for all P2 and P3 children
North Edinburgh’s own knitting group, Time Bank Knit & Natter, are organising a Christmas Fayre on Friday 9th December, 12.30-2.30pm at North Edinburgh Arts.
As well as stalls, there will be a family-friendly Storytelling session with Moira, a Christmas decorations workshop, a ‘name the monkey’ competition where entrants will have the chance to win a hand-knitted monkey made by one of the knitters and some festive mince pies to keep us all going!
We also have a few stalls available to hire, at a cost of £5 per table.
If you, or anyone you know would be interested in booking a table, please reply to this email or call me on 0131 315 2151.
We would also love to see you at the fayre on the 9th, if you are able to make it along!
Joanne McArthur
Twelve war memorials across Scotland are set to be conserved and repaired after being awarded a share of £55,000 worth of grant funding by War Memorials Trust, through the Centenary Memorials Restoration Fund. Continue reading Funds available to repair war memorials
Call comes one month into national vaccination programme Continue reading GP issues flu vaccine reminder
The Scottish SPCA is calling on daredevils to abseil down The Falkirk Wheel to raise vital funds.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity has spaces left for the exciting challenge which takes place on Saturday 22 April 2017.
Balerno centre manager, Diane Aitchison said, “This is the first time we have organised an abseil at The Falkirk Wheel and spaces are going fast.
“It’s a fantastic challenge for anyone who wants to do something fun and memorable to help animals in the local area.
“Those who have completed abseils for the charity in previous years have said that it’s an amazing experience and one they’ll never forget.
“There will be a team of highly skilled instructors to ensure participants are equipped with everything they need to make the abseil as safe and enjoyable as possible.
“We rely on public support to continue our work rescuing abused, abandoned and injured animals so every penny and pound raised in sponsorship really does count.”
Cheryl McLoughlan from Hamilton who previously took part in the Titan Crane abseil said, “I was terrified on the day but excited too. I had never taken part in anything like it before.
“That moment I had to climb over the side of the crane to my descent was pretty scary, but as soon as I got going I was loving it!
Anyone interested in taking part in the abseil can call the Scottish SPCA fundraising team on 03000 999 999 (option 4) or email fundraising@scottishspca.org for further information.
Picture: Peter Sandground
Saturday 26 November 10 – 12 noon Granton Parish Church
Please see information (below) about the ‘Roost’ exhibition and launch to be staged in Muirhouse Shopping Centre on the Thursday 24 November from 3pm to 7pm, with the exhibition continuing in the days afterwards.
Led by artist Lindsay Perth, ‘Roost’ is part of the artist residencies linked to the NW Edinburgh Partnership Centre, based at NEA and funded by Creative Scotland and the Edinburgh & Lothian Health Trust.
Full details can be found at www.roostproject.org
The public are being invited to give their views on a new sports complex to replace the existing Meadowbank Stadium and Sports Centre.
The City of Edinburgh Council is intending to submit a planning application early next year as the kick-start for the project to deliver a modern, fully accessible high quality sports complex for sports clubs and the local community.
To help the Council shape the planning application they are asking people to let them know their views to ensure everyone’s needs are taken into account.
There is an online survey for people to take part in and two public information events will be held at Meadowbank Sports Centre on Thursday 17 and Tuesday 22 November both between 3pm and 8pm.
Current proposals for the new sports centre include:
• An outdoor athletics track with a 500 seat stand
• Two multi sport games halls
• Three fitness studios
• A gym
• A gymnastics hall
• Two squash courts
• A combat studio for martial arts
• A boxing gym with ring
• A 60m 6 lane indoor athletics track and jumps space
• An outdoor athletics track with jumps space
• An outdoor throwing area
• Two FIFA 1 3G (all weather) pitches – one which will be in the centre of the athletics track
• Cafe and meeting rooms
The first multi sport games hall would be equivalent in size to an eight court badminton hall with permanent seating for 420 and additional bleacher seating for 725. The second hall is set to be the equivalent of a four court badminton hall with permanent seating for 430.
The new centre will be partly funded by residential and commercial development on parts of the existing site that are not required for the new sports complex. This will include development of affordable and low cost housing through the Council’s 21st Century Homes Programme.
In addition to the planning application for the new sports complex, a masterplan for the wider site development will be submitted with the aim of gaining outline planning permission.
Councillor Richard Lewis, Culture and Sport Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We want the new Meadowbank Stadium and Sports Centre to be a venue fit for the 21st Century and the public’s views on our proposals are key to this.
“Transforming Meadowbank into a brand new sports complex would provide a modern, fully accessible high quality sports centre for sports clubs and the local community.
“I would urge everyone to tell us what they think about the range of facilities being proposed and the masterplan. The public can either take part in our online survey or come along to one of our two public information events.
“Not only would we see a new Meadowbank but more homes would be built to meet the city’s housing needs. The new venue will also bring health and wellbeing benefits across the city by supporting even more people to become and stay active.
“Public consultation on our proposals and submitting a planning application are the next important steps to realise our ambition of redeveloping Meadowbank.”
June Peebles, chief executive of Edinburgh Leisure, added: “Meadowbank is part of Edinburgh’s sporting heritage and continues to attract thousands of customers, participating in a wide range of physical activities, through its doors every week. However, appreciating the age of the venue and the changing needs of customers, it is in need of attention.
“Edinburgh Leisure is therefore delighted to be working with the Council on this exciting project which could create a new Meadowbank for the city, creating an inspiring and welcoming venue that supports even more people to get active, stay active and achieve more.”
The existing Meadowbank was originally built for Edinburgh’s 1970 Commonwealth Games (
The Agnes Hunter Trust has agreed the sale of their complete portfolio of 92 properties in Lorne Street to Places for People Scotland, ensuring all residents can stay in their homes. Continue reading Homes secured for Lorne Street residents
Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association has launched a new volunteering service to combat social exclusion among their residents, an issue that disproportionately affects older people.
As a leading not-for-profit provider of quality housing for older people in Scotland, employing over 500 staff in more than 200 housing developments, the new volunteering service aims to make a positive difference to Hanover’s customers’ lives as well as the wider community.
The framework will encourage Hanover residents to volunteer in their developments and local communities, as well as empower Hanover staff to establish high quality, customer focused volunteering opportunities.
Delivered by a newly appointed Volunteer Coordinator, the framework will also promote the take up of volunteering within developments from local communities and third sector organisations.
Since taking up the new role, Edinburgh-born Jim Brown has carried out in depth analysis of Hanover’s current volunteering capacity and the range of social activities residents participate in. Over the next few months Jim will meet with staff and residents to consult in the development of the new framework, ensuring it meets the needs, requirements and abilities of those who will benefit most from it.
Jim said: “I am delighted to have been selected as Volunteer Coordinator for an organisation that really cares about its residents, employees and the communities it is part of. I am very much looking forward to getting out to our developments across Scotland to meet with residents and staff and encouraging them to volunteer and become more socially active.
“I have volunteered throughout my life, as a befriender for an adult with learning difficulties as well as managing a youth football team, so I fully understand and appreciate the benefits volunteering brings to everyone involved.”
Hanover’s Chief Executive, Helen Murdoch said: “Customer service is at the heart of what we do. It is our priority to help all our residents lead rich and fulfilling lives and we are confident that by encouraging residents, local communities and third sector organisations to take up volunteering, that we will see a hugely positive social impact on the lives of everyone involved.”
